Clash of Tides (A merman story)
Epilogue

Outside these walls, the sun’s light brightens the sky and warms the air. Through the glass, there is a garden maze. The bushes are tall and cut to perfect precision and balance. Lining the green edges of the plants are roses of various colors: red, pink, yellow, and white. As my eyes look at the beauty under my window, this manor feels less of a prison.

A week has passed since I left with the Governor. Joe wrote to me, saying he missed me. I smiled when I read the letter. Even though I am not there with him, I know he is safe, living a life I briefly experienced.

I haven’t heard from my mother, and I suspect she will not write to me. She has everything she wants again: money, a name, and wealthy home. As I stare out the window, reflecting on everything that happened, I realize freedom is further from me. I am not allowed to leave these walls except to walk the gardens. The only company I have are those who resemble me; they are servants but are darker than my complexation.

For Joe to be safe - to be raised better than I - I must stay with the governor, pleasing him when he calls for me. He has yet to take me, but he wants pleasure in other ways. He wants quick methods that don’t steal his time. However, he told me that he wants a decent night with me once his political affairs die down. He paid for me; he gave my family wealth, so I must deliver.

I miss Seidon, and when I think about that day, a week ago, I ache inside. I heard from the servants that a young man with blonde hair had come to the manor gates, but the guards wouldn’t let him in. I had hoped Seidon would forget me, but even now, he is still fighting for me. When we rode off to the Governor’s house that day, I remember the storm hovering over the forest. Still, I question if it was caused by the merpeople, the forest creatures, or something else.

I shift my gaze from the window. Assan and I agreed we wouldn’t see each other again. Once I returned to the surface and decided to be the Governor’s, I knew all thoughts of the undersea world needed to cease.

At night, when I shut my eyes, I hope the memories of the mermen who cared for me and wanted me to stay with him will fade; however, they never leave me. Sometimes I wonder why the Governor kept questioning me about that night at the brothel. Clearly, he did not believe me, but he never pressed the subject.

Beyond the window, the sounds of chatter and conversation snap me from my thoughts. I hear a knock on my door and quickly jump up.

“Who is it?”

“Lady Elena, a letter has arrived for you. It is from Lucas, of the () estate,” the servant. “Do you want the letter now?”

Lucas! Has something happened?

“Yes, I do; I will be right there.” As the Governor’s mistress, I should not have other men writing to me, but if it is Lucas, there must be for a reason.

Instead of going right to the door, I try to understand what Lucas needs. By now, Joseph would have a dedicated tutor, so it must be something else.

I get up from my seat and stroll over to the full-body mirror. As I stare at my reflection in the long, sliver framed glass engraved with flowers and vines, I see someone else, not the poor mulatto girl. This Elena is not the scared and weak woman she once was; this Elena has broken away from two chains just to replace a third. Even my face seems foreign to me. My lips are painted slightly pink, my cheeks are bright red, and my hair is washed and combed.

With the servants’ help, I can appear different. These past few days, I have looked like a lady who runs her own house and has married well, but it is all a lie.

This dress I am wearing is the color of grass, with gold roses throughout its pattern. The sleeves are long but stop by my elbows, and white ruffles peak from the sleeve but do not go down my arm. Nevertheless, as long as Joe is safe, I am content being the Governor’s mistress – Seidon will move on, and I will never see Assan or another mer again.

After ensuring I look presentable, I hurry to the double doors and open them. Standing outside is one of the servants, dressed in a white gown with a red apron on and a white cap.

She dips her head and hands me the letter. When I look at her, I see her dark skin, black hair, and skinny body, reminding me of myself. I could have been her in another life – a servant to a nobleman, cooking his meal, cleaning his chamber pot, and raising his children.

“Thank you,” I say as I take the letter from her. She lifts her head, acknowledges me with her eyes, and then turns on her heel, heading down the hall.

Without wasting time, I shut the door and open Lucas’s letter.

Elena,

I hope this letter replaces you well and you are in good spirits. Alas, when you again left with the Governor a week ago, Seidon entered the forest. This time, when he returned, he was not unconscious; he was soaked with water and wounded, bleeding from his face, arms, and legs. When I questioned him, he stayed silent and asked me to leave.

Even Mika is missing. Her parents are worried about her. I have a feeling Seidon saw that creature again, the merman. Elena, Seidon needs you. If you can, please visit him and talk him from this madness. He even agreed to join the Governor’s guard. Something is amiss, and strange happenings are afoot.

Joe is well and is your mother, but do not trust Leona. Once you have finished this letter, burn it.

Your friend,

Lucas

Seidon! What happened to you? Why did you return to the forest? I think back to the rainstorm I saw hovering over the woods.

“Was that Seidon back then? Did he see a Belua or …Assan?” I clench Lucas’s letter to my chest and hold it tight. Sai needs me, but I am stuck here, mistress to the Governor. It can ruin everything if the Governor replaces out that I am trying to meet Seidon. But I can’t leave Sai alone to get himself killed.

Two figures outside catch my eye as I pace back and forth through the room. Walking through the gardens is the Governor, with Dr. Leverton beside him.

Curiosity grows within me as I spirit to the window, standing against the side. I hope they will not see me. A grin is etched on the Governor’s face, but something is wrong with Dr. Leverton. He steps away from the Governor, shaking his head, and keeps staring down at the ground. Then he turns, lifts his head, and shakes the man in power’s hand.

Once the handshake is done, Sai’s father runs his fingers through his hair before falling to the ground, staying upright on his knees, and looking towards the sky. The Governor turns on his heel, paying no attention to the sullen man.

I have never seen Dr. Leverton so broken before. He tightens his hand into a fist and then lowers his head. I gasp. I remember the words from Lucas’s letter – something is amiss, and strange happenings are afoot. The undersea world isn’t in shambles, and so is Hlynn. Unable to watch any longer, I spin around, determined to replace Seidon and Mika. I am no longer the weak girl; I have survived the undersea world and saved my brother from my mother’s wrath. Growing up, Seidon was there for me and tried to save me from Assan, so now it is time for me to protect him. There is a connection between Seidon, Mika, and the mers, even if I do not want to believe it, the truth needs to be discovered.

~ Fin

The story will continue in

Clash of Tides:

Land & Sea